RANDOM NOTES ON NATURAL HISTORY 



XI 



(Continued front page x.) 



These goods when placed in position oc- 

 cupied fifty-five feet by four of glass coun- 

 ter cases, and twelve b}' six of ^ipright black 

 walnut museum cases. All the stuffed mam- 

 mals, with one exception, a Jumping Mouse, 

 were actual residents of the state. Among 

 them was a fine Otter, a Wild Cat, three 

 species of albinistic Squirrels, and one par- 

 tially^ Albino Muskrat. The season of the 

 year was unfortunate for procuring them in 

 good pellage, and it was onlv a few days be- 

 fore the goods were shipped that we secured 

 a specimen of the Varying Hare, while the 

 Raccoon escaped us altogether ; we could 

 not collect one, and a genuine state speci- 

 men brought in to be mounted was refused 

 us ; the owner would neither loan nor sell. 

 In representing the birds we were obliged 

 to be satisfied to considerable extent with 

 skins, as again the time allowed was not 

 sufficient to mount them. This department is 

 represented by 338 specimens of 126 species, 

 including one case of stuffed small specimens 

 arranged as a wall picture, and several sin- 

 gle specimens of the larger sort, such as 

 Eagle, Loon, Heron, etc. 



This was followed by an arrangement of 

 the Turtles, mounted and naturally tinted, 

 including all the varieties likely' to be found 

 in Rhode Island, except perhaps two of the 

 marine forms. Our other reptiles and ba- 

 trachians were represented by alcoholic pre- 

 parations, and the paucit}^ of species is in 

 marked contrast with those of the Southern 

 States. 

 The Crustaceans, Lobster, Horse-shoe Cral), 



(Limulus polyphemus) and a dozen other 

 species, all found within the waters of the 

 state, were carefully stuffed and painted 

 (generally from living models) as nearly as 

 possible to the brilliant hues of life, such as 

 could hardly be conceived of by those who 

 have not seen them fresh from the water. 



Our exhibition of insects is not very com- 

 mendable, being confined to one exhibition 

 case containing about two hundred of the 

 most notable or brilliant forms. 



The Conchologj' we were able to repre- 

 sent b}' about one hundred species. 



For our exhibition of fossil forms, as we 

 do not deal in them, we are indebted to the 

 kindness of Brown University. The col- 

 lection loaned contained nearl}^ all the car- 

 boniferous flora of the state, being particu- 

 larly valuable, as the identification has been 

 demonstrated by Professer Leo. Lesquereux, 

 the only living authority. 



In like manner while we carry a full stock 

 of fine minerals for exhibition or stud}' pur- 

 poses, to obtain some of the fine local spe- 

 cimens we were obliged to draw freely upon 

 private cabinets. To these friends we are 

 much indebted. This part of the exhibition 

 embraces all the species of an}' importance 

 that occur, but might have been extended 

 much further in individual and handsome 

 specimens, if space had not been limited. 



The specimens belonging to us are for 

 sale, and we are prepared to estimate at any 

 time for similar collections, wholly or in 

 part, correctly labeled, and mounted on 

 cherry or ebonized blocks, or in card-board 

 trays. 



I MPORTANT.G) 



Since the appearance of our Catalogue in March, 1883, Oologv has taken a long 

 stride, so that another Price-List has become a necessity. 



PRICES OF ALL THE GOODS EXCEPT EGGS REMAIN THE SAME. 



THE 



^^NEW PRICE-LIST OF EGGS* 



Will appear in April or May, and be sent as soon as issued to all who apply for it. We 

 would advise attaching this new hst to our Catalogue. 



SOUTHWICK & JENCKS. 



